Report attached.

Cabinet:

Agreed that the Highways Maintenance Plan Policy be adopted by the Council.

Report: Highways Maintenance Plan Policy

Presented by: Cllr Ray Morgon on behalf of Cllr Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment

Summary:

1.1      A national code of practice for highways maintenance and management (Well Managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice (the “Code”)), sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT) and produced by the United Kingdom Roads Liaison Group (UKRLG) was published in late 2016. The 2016 Code replaces the previous 2005 Code.

1.2      The Code was introduced with a transition period in which to allow local highway authorities, such as the London Borough of Havering, to review their existing highway maintenance policies and delivery arrangements, consider which applicable aspects of the Code to adopt (in whole or in part) and to develop new maintenance policies and arrangements (where required) reflecting the recommendations of the Code.

1.3      Adherence to the Code is not a statutory requirement, and there has been no recent change in law, but it follows national good practice shared by many local highway authorities in establishing highway maintenance policy, strategy and operations of the highway maintenance service.

1.4      The Code provides highway authorities with guidance on highways management but adoption of the recommendations in the Code is a matter for the Council (as a local highway authority), based on its interpretation, assessment of risks, local needs and priorities.

1.5      Whilst the Code is not a legal / statutory document the significance of it is that the Courts will view it as a benchmark of best practice in discharging the statutory duty to maintain the highway. Failure to follow the guidelines and recommendations could be used against the Council in the assessment of claims.

1.6      A new Highway Maintenance Plan Policy (HMPP) for Havering has been produced to document the Council’s approach to highway maintenance and ensure the authority continues to have a statutory defence against all public liability claims arising on the Borough’s highway. Additionally, the introduction of a risk-based approach is aimed at optimising the use of resources and value for money.

1.7      The new Code has seen a shift in emphasis and has removed the reliance on specific guidance and recommendations in the previous Codes to a risk-based approach determined by each highway authority. Very few standards are prescribed in the new Code and the intention is that authorities will develop their own levels of service taking account of local need and assessment of risk.

1.8      Following review of the new Code and the Council’s existing highway maintenance policies and delivery arrangements a new HMPP has been produced. Further information is provided below.

1.9      This report sets out:

           · Highway maintenance requirements

           · Context and background Information

           · Development, implementation and key aspects of the Council’s (proposed) HMPP – including adoption of a risk-based approach

           · Cost implications

Cabinet:

Agreed that the Highways Maintenance Plan Policy be adopted by the Council.